Erastus 10th 02 - A Ransom of Rainbows

A couple of days have now passed since the marriage of Otto to Margo and the kingdom had finally settled down from all the festivities allowing the council to finally meet again to discuss kingdom matters.

It appeared that the nearby farmers have been complaining about a worg and a pack of wolves that have been attacking their livestock and wished king Otto to rectify the matter and kill the worg.

Also there had been rumours of a dragon being spotted in the forest recently, though after talking to “eye witnesses” it may more likely be a Wyvern. Ideally the creature if found should be dispatched but if it could be negotiated with? ...Then surely Wyvernshore could live up to its name with a Wyvern protector? An prospect that the majority of the group found pleasing.

Otto sat at the council pondering what action should be taken next when Natalia suggested that maybe there was a third and possibly more important issue to investigate?

Otto raised an eyebrow as to question the druids comment and Natalia suggested finding the fairy dragon first and find out the meaning behind his actions and the “present” he left for the king on his wedding day.

Otto agreed that would be an ideal issue to look into as the fey creatures actions had been rather random and out of character and so ordered the group to gather their equipment and to meet at the stables before heading north to the fairy’s nest.

As they approached closer to the nest area all around them the group could see nothing but fallen trees and the faint sound of sobbing. The tree’s that still stood intact or just broken showed evidence of large claw marks within the ancient bark.

Heading towards the west were scatterings of tiny arrows and drops of green blood (troll blood), it took a little while but between Natalia and Otto they managed to coax the fairy dragon down from the tree with a little wine.

After a few thimbles of wine the tiny fey dragon seemed a little more respondent so the group took the opportunity to ask why the wedding gift of bees? The tiny fey started to sob again as he told the tale of how a troll came smashing through the woods and took his fey friend Titatut hostage unless the tiny dragon tried to kill king Otto and now the troll refuses to let his friend go.

Shocked to hear the tale the group agrees to track the troll down and do what they can to rescue Titatut, they ask if there were any clues as to where the troll could be sadly the tiny dragon could only comment that the troll stank of rotten eggs.

The group discuss their options as Otto suddenly makes the connection of the rotten egg smell with that of the smell from the giant frogs at hot springs to the west.

The group nod in agreement and quickly mount their horses before heading south and the south west to the foul smelling area.

As they approach springs the group find the area has been decimated and all the giant frogs laid on the group slain, Kyrander scouts around the area and eventually notices signs of a large creature travelling to the south.

Again the group mount up and begin to ride south, as they near the area there are signs of more fallen trees, and upon one great oak there appeared to be a warning sign in rainbow blood writing which unhelpfully no one in the group could read. 

As they approach the swampy area both Miro and Kyrander decide to stealth into the swamp. As they approach what appeared to be the remains of some sort of mud village the pair could hear voices of arguing between something high pitched and the other a low grumble. Miro heads to the north of the little village and spots a small grigg that is chained up in a small hut, the grigg was complaining about the trolls hostage plan to the troll saying that it is doing it all wrong, the troll..just seemed despondent and shrugged.

Kyrander slowly stealth’s his way out to give the group an update on situation.

A plan is devised and Kyrander is sent back into the swamp to update Miro on plan of action. The plan set out was for Kyrander and Miro to find the opportunity to douse the troll with oil whilst the rest of the group charge in and set it on fire.

The plan all set the group begin to set it in motion with Miro taking the first action as he moves closer and throws a flask of oil at the troll.

Miro’s flask flies through the air and finds its target and hits the troll.

Kyrander then throws his flask and also hits the troll.

The troll turns to look at Miro given the Halfling an expression of hatred.

Vaneer arrives into the village and throws an alchemist fire at the troll and really misses his target almost setting Kyrander on fire.

Natalia then casts a flaming sphere but the troll dances round the ball of flame unscathed.

With the combat ongoing Miro attempts to stealth into hut where Titatut is chained up and tries to pick the locks.

The Troll charges Vaneer and hits the cleric.

Kyrander throws his own alchemists fire and manages to hit the troll.

Otto then appears and casts a scorching ray and hitting the now flaming troll directly in the chest.

Vaneer sensing that the troll might pick on him casts a barkskin spell.

Natalia moves the flaming sphere to the troll who fails to dodge the ball of flame and therefore burning him further.

Miro fails to unlock all the chains preventing him rescuing the fey.

The Troll manages to bite Vaneer and takes a chunk out of the clerics shoulder.

Otto casts a haste spell and moves to flank the troll.

Kyrander draws his bow and shoots the troll twice.

Vaneer manages to swing his mace and hit the troll.

Natalia’s flaming sphere manages to burn the troll again whilst she lightening bolts the troll.

Miro fails again at breaking the locks.

Vaneer and Otto take advantage by attacking the troll as it moves to attack Kyrander and both miss.

Otto charges the troll with a long spear and hits.

Kyrander drops his bow and then draws his long sword and attacks the troll twice dealing enough damage along with the previous burnings to kill the troll.

Miro finally manages to release Titatut from his bindings.

Vaneer takes the opportunity to fill his waterskin with some of the troll’s blood before the group set to incinerating the troll’s remains before the creature regenerates it’s wounds.

With wounds now healed the group escort Titatut back to Peverlish the fey dragon whilst Titatut recounts the horrid tales of the ‘cripple killer’ that have been whispered amongst the travellers, Kyrander hearing this subtly falls to the back of the group.

Eventually the group find out that the Troll was saying that the forest wasn’t for pinkies (Humans) and that they should be wiped from the land. Once Titatut was finally home safely the group heads back to wyvernshore and takes the waterskin of troll’s blood with them to hand to Boken as he had previously requested.